Lorraine Nxumalo’s Post

Knowing who is who and who owns whom, is a good way to address the issues of economic integration in Africa. If you had imagined a screen, within your reach, displaying full identity of the companies in your activity area, your potential suppliers and customers, throughout Africa and beyond, what ideas could have inspired you, as a way of developing your business ? In the era of AI, the integration of Africa, popularized by the AfDB, is a double-speed train, which will connect countries, by joining the virtual to the real. LEI Africa is the countries integration network builder. So let connect Africa, together with a key identifier. #LEI #Know_Your_Business #Economic_Integration #High-5s #AfDB

As Africa continues to grapple with armed conflicts and challenges to sustainable peace, the integration of #ArtificialIntelligence (AI) in #peacebuilding offers innovative solutions. From using #AI-driven data to predict conflict hotspots to improving #DDR (Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration) programs, technology is reshaping how we approach conflict resolution. The role of #AIforPeace is critical in achieving #SDGs, particularly #Goal16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. In Africa, we're seeing promising developments, including: 》Statistics-driven peace strategies: Leveraging AI to analyze trends and root causes of conflicts. 》Innovative solutions: AI tools are enabling real-time monitoring of armed conflict zones and aiding safe community planning. It's clear that #safecommunities, #smartcities, and #peaceinitiatives can benefit immensely from these advancements. As professionals working towards a peaceful #Africa, it’s crucial to explore these tools and foster collaborations between #peacebuilders, #tech innovators, and #policymakers. 💡 What are your thoughts on how #AI can enhance peacebuilding in Africa? Are there success stories or challenges you’ve come across in your work,Let's discuss #AIForPeace #PeaceInAfrica #ConflictResolution #SafeCommunities #Peacebuilding #AIForSDGs #SmartCitiesAndPeace #DDRPrograms

Is Digital Colonialism Threatening Africa's Future Development? 🚀🌍 At the #DataforPolicy2024 conference, ✍️ Aishat Salami (LLM, CIPP/E) from Technology Consulting and Research, Veeta Advisory Hub, Lagos, Nigeria presented her paper titled 📄 "Artificial Intelligence, Digital Colonialism and the Implications for Africa’s Future Development." 🎯 This paper explores the modern form of colonialism manifesting through digital means. It critically examines the control of Africa’s digital infrastructure by Western tech giants, leading to imbalanced data flows and power dynamics. Through the lens of Artificial Intelligence, it highlights issues of data exploitation and underscores the urgent need for African ownership in shaping our digital future. 🔍 Discover how Africa can navigate the digital age while maintaining sovereignty and ensuring technology serves as a tool for empowerment. 📹 Watch the full presentation on YouTube:   https://lnkd.in/efGbiyK3 🎥 To watch the playlist of all Data for Policy 2024 full-length presentations: https://lnkd.in/gTDcZ2sm #DigitalColonialism #ArtificialIntelligence #Africa #DataEthics #TechPolicy #FutureOfAfrica #AI #TechForGood #DataforPolicy

Jean-Claude Rochat Regtech Africa Shaheena A. Carrim Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia Raheem Nkumane Benin ,Ghana and Togo have their Basel AML index scores over 6 in a red zone. An overview of Leimetric across Africa by our banking expert. We have introduced LEI Africa to mitigate risks associated with the African market, but the continent poses significant challenges. Mercury Bank has announced the closure of accounts for users in 37 countries, including 13 African nations like Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya, effective August 22, 2024. This decision, driven by changes in account eligibility criteria, forces startups to seek alternative banking solutions for managing funds raised from U.S. VCs, paying international employees, and handling treasury operations in U.S. dollars. This closure, while not entirely unexpected, aligns with increased regulatory scrutiny on U.S. fintechs following notable collapses, which has adversely impacted African startups reliant on U.S.-based banking services. The high-risk perception of Africa by international financial institutions, due to challenges in combating corruption and financial crimes, along with Nigeria being on the FATF grey list since 2023, has influenced Mercury's stringent account closure strategy. For affected African startups, many of whom turned to Mercury after the 2023 Silicon Valley Bank collapse, this development presents a significant operational hurdle. They now face the urgent task of transitioning to new banking partners to sustain their international business activities. To help mitigate these risks, African startups are encouraged to obtain an LEI code through LEI Africa at https://lnkd.in/gDKSkHWM.

"As in the case of the European countries and the United States that prepared a common policy to protect the moral, dignity, well-being, and development of their people, it is also significant for Africa to do the same collectively since letting the individual countries control this mega technology will be the same as self-deception." - writes Ezra Nnko, co-founder of the Centre for Geopolitics and International Policy based in Tanzania. Read more: https://lnkd.in/d_Fcjry7

The deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Africa demands extensive collaboration among policymakers, funders and civil society to prevent harm to vulnerable communities, according to Angela Oduor Lungati, Executive Director of Ushahidi.

The need for comprehensive regulatory frameworks to oversee the advancement of Artificial Intelligence across Africa took center stage at the 13th Internet Governance Forum in Addis Ababa. https://lnkd.in/df7pMcTe

Africa stands at a digital crossroads. The time to equip our public servants with AI and digital skills is NOW. The Africa Centre of Competence is leading this charge, ensuring Africa isn't left behind in the global digital revolution. Learn how it is making a difference: https://lnkd.in/dcVbu5-g UNDP KENYA UNDP Uganda UNDP Africa #AfricaDigitalCentre #JiendelezeKidigitali #AfricaCentreofCompetence

AI presents unique opportunities for Africa to innovate across sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and finance. Despite challenges such as data access and infrastructure, local startups are pioneering solutions tailored to regional needs. With investment in skills development and ethical frameworks, Africa has the potential to shape a distinctive AI ecosystem that addresses both local and global challenges.